Traveling the Philippines Is More Fun With This New Mobile App

(SPOT.ph) With the Philippines' rich history, it doesn't come as a surprise that every corner has a story to tell. Just walk around downtown Manila and you'll see where the Chinese and Filipinos used to exchange goods, where Philippine hero Jose Rizal was executed, and where the Ilustrados once convened to plan a revolution. These pieces of information are now made more available through Kultoura, a Philippine travel guide application developed in collaboration of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism, Smart Communications, and InnoPub Media. It was launched on June 19 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Rizal.

IMAGE John Torralba

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With this mobile application, you don't have to lug around travel books and brochures or browse through so many webpages on Google. It already contains information on heritage sites, historic schools and churches, nature parks, and other must-see places in various parts of the country. It also includes famous personalities, delicacies, and other interesting trivia on selected cities and provinces. Some cultural landmarks even have high-speed Wi-Fi and quick response (QR) codes so you can easily access additional information through a phone scan.

NCCA Chair Virgilio Almario

“The Kultoura app was developed to help tourists and students learn more about Philippine culture and heritage. It may also be useful to foreigners who are interested in the rich history and beautiful destinations in our country,” said National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Virgilio Almario who was present during the product launch at Rizal Park.

IMAGE John Torralba

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The application is part of the Digital Tourism program initiated by InnoPub and Smart in 2012. It aims to harness mobile technology to promote tourism and the preservation of cultural and heritage sites. Prior to the launch in Manila, the program has been implemented in Baguio, Albay, Bohol, Dapitan, and Davao.